Þríhyrningur

Þríhyrningur (Thríhyrningur) or ‘Three Peaks Mountain’ is a 678m high mountain that gives a very good overview of the area in all directions. The mountain takes its name from its three peaks and between them is a valley called Flosadalur, named after a man called Flosi from Svínafell of the famous Njál’s Saga. In the mountain are two gorges called Katrínargil and Tómagil. Þríhrningur is about 18 km from Hvolsvöllur and hiking trails have been marked that lead to the summit. Take road 261 to the Forestry Center of Tumastaðir, driving through Tumastaðir and Túnguskógar Forest, all the way to Vatnsdalur. By the Fiská river, turn right into the grassy foothills of the mountain. There, from the small plateau on Thríhyrning´s south-east side, you can begin the ascent up to the mountain peak which rises to 678 m. The hike will take at least two to three hours.

Further information about the saga

The Icelandic Sagas give an account of how this mountain was used as a hideout for a man named Flosi from Svínafell who, with his band of men, was responsible for the burning of the farm owned by Njáll from the famous saga of Burnt Njáll. The area you will be looking over is where this famous story takes place. According to the legend, there is a cave that is difficult to get to in the cliffs on the north side of the mountain. It was here that Flosi hid a treasure chest that was to be used as payment in a settlement in the event that he was caught by his enemies. He and his men were never caught, so the chest was left in the cave until some brave men decided to fetch it. One of them managed to climb up to the cave and as he looked into the chest, there were only dry leaves to be found. He filled his pockets with leaves to show his companions and disappointed, they descended from the mountain. As they walked, the man felt his coat become heavier and as he reached into his pockets, he found to his surprise, that the leaves had turned to gold. However, the men did not go back to collect the rest of the leaves, as an eerie feeling surrounded the incident.